Ever dreamed of waking up in a medieval tower or falling asleep beneath century-old stone arches? While most castles maintain a strict ‘look but don’t touch’ policy, some extraordinary fortresses across the globe welcome adventurous travelers to spend the night within their ancient walls. Forget about typical campgrounds with their rows of identical sites – these locations offer the chance to camp in settings that have witnessed centuries of history.
Here’s your guide to experiencing castle camping, where history meets adventure in the most remarkable ways.
Carbisdale Castle
This Scottish Highlands fortress has transformed its sprawling grounds and selected interior spaces into unique camping spots. The castle’s former kitchen gardens now feature designated tent areas with views of both the castle towers and the surrounding mountains.
Indoor camping is permitted in the great hall during winter months, where campers can sleep beneath 30-foot ceilings adorned with original frescos. The castle’s old stable block has been converted into modern bathroom facilities while maintaining its historic character.
Château de Tennessus
This French castle allows camping in its perfectly preserved medieval courtyard, surrounded by 14th-century walls. The owners provide wooden platforms for tents to protect both campers and the historic cobblestones while still maintaining an authentic atmosphere.
Evening tours of the castle are exclusively available to camping guests, including access to areas normally closed to the public. The castle’s former guardhouse has been converted into a camp kitchen and gathering space.
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Burg Stahleck
Perched high above Germany’s Rhine River, this 12th-century castle offers both traditional hostel rooms and designated camping areas on its terraced grounds. Campers can set up their tents on medieval garrison platforms that once housed archers defending the castle.
The fortress’s original great hall serves as a communal space where campers can gather in the evenings for meals and storytelling. Access to the castle’s tower observatory is included with camping fees, offering panoramic views of the river valley.
Doune Castle
Made famous by ‘Monty Python’ and ‘Game of Thrones,’ this Scottish castle now allows camping in its outer bailey during summer months. The castle provides raised wooden platforms to protect tents from the damp ground while maintaining the historic atmosphere.
Evening access to the castle’s kitchen and the great hall is exclusive to camping guests, with historical reenactors often providing entertainment. The site includes modern facilities discretely built into the old castle walls.
Castello di Fenis
This Italian Alpine castle opens its terraced gardens for camping, offering views of both medieval architecture and mountain peaks. Each camping spot is named after a historical figure connected to the castle’s past, with informational plaques sharing their stories.
The castle’s original wine cellars have been converted into modern bathroom facilities while preserving their vaulted stone ceilings. Evening ghost tours are exclusively available to guests camping on the grounds.
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Marksburg Castle
The only hill castle along Germany’s Rhine that was never destroyed now welcomes campers to its outer fortifications. Designated camping areas are set up along the castle’s defensive walls, offering panoramic views of the river valley.
The castle’s blacksmith shop has been converted into a camp kitchen while maintaining its medieval character. Evening access to certain parts of the castle is exclusive to camping guests.
Château de la Roche
This French castle, built on a rocky island in the Loire River, offers a unique camping experience within its walls. Tents can be set up in the castle’s inner courtyard, surrounded by towers that seem to rise directly from the water.
The original kitchen still functions as a cooking space for campers, complete with its massive medieval fireplace. Access to the castle’s ramparts at sunset is reserved exclusively for overnight guests.
Bodiam Castle
This perfectly moated English castle allows camping on its outer grounds with full views of the medieval fortress. Special platforms keep tents above the often-damp ground while providing perfect photo opportunities of the castle reflected in its moat.
The castle’s old gatehouse has been converted into modern facilities while maintaining its historic exterior. Evening tours focused on the castle’s medieval military history are available exclusively to camping guests.
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Burg Pfalzgrafenstein
This unique castle, built on an island in Germany’s Rhine River, offers a truly isolated camping experience. Tents are set up on the castle’s upper defensive platforms, providing panoramic river views.
The former customs house serves as a camp kitchen and gathering space for guests. Access is only available by boat, with evening departures reserved exclusively for camping guests.
Castelo de São Jorge
Lisbon’s iconic castle opens its olive grove for camping, offering views of both medieval walls and city lights. The castle’s old garrison kitchen has been converted into modern facilities while maintaining its historic character.
Evening access to the castle walls provides unique sunset views over the city. Traditional Portuguese cooking demonstrations are often held in the evening for camping guests.
Burg Eltz
This German castle, still owned by the same family that built it 800 years ago, allows camping in its historic outer bailey. Each camping spot offers views of different aspects of the castle’s unique architecture.
The former guard quarters have been converted into modern facilities while preserving their medieval character. Evening tours of the castle treasury are exclusive to camping guests.
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Château de Beynac
This French fortress, perched high above the Dordogne River, welcomes campers to its terraced gardens. Camping platforms are built into the medieval defensive terraces, offering spectacular valley views.
The castle’s old armory serves as a camp kitchen and gathering space. Evening access to the castle’s chapel and staterooms is reserved for camping guests.
Eilean Donan Castle
This iconic Scottish castle offers camping on its mainland approach, with full views of the castle and surrounding lochs. Special platforms keep tents above the often wet ground while providing perfect photo opportunities.
The former gatekeeper’s cottage serves as a camp kitchen and gathering space. Evening access to the castle bridge and courtyard is exclusive to camping guests.
Burg Rheinstein
This restored Rhine castle features camping areas built into its terraced vineyard gardens. Each terrace offers different views of both the castle and the river valley below.
The castle’s old wine press house serves as a gathering space and camp kitchen. Evening wine tastings in the castle’s historic cellars are available exclusively to camping guests.
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Château de Val
This French castle, situated on a peninsula in a lake, allows camping along its water-facing ramparts. Designated platforms keep tents level while providing views of both water and castle walls.
The former boathouse has been converted into modern facilities while maintaining its historic character. Evening boat tours around the castle are exclusive to camping guests.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Rome’s iconic fortress offers summer camping experiences in its outer courtyard. Camping areas are set up with views of both the castle and St. Peter’s Basilica. The castle’s old barracks serve as modern facilities while preserving their historic architecture.
Evening access to the castle’s upper terraces provides unique views of Rome at night.
Burg Altena
This German castle, home to the world’s first youth hostel, now offers camping in its historic outer ward. Platforms built into the hillside provide level camping areas with views of the medieval towers.
The castle’s old guardroom serves as a camp kitchen and gathering space. Evening tours focusing on the castle’s role in hospitality history are exclusive to camping guests.
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Château de Chambord
This Loire Valley castle opens its formal gardens for summer camping experiences. Designated areas provide views of the castle’s distinctive French Renaissance architecture.
The former hunting lodge serves as a camp kitchen and gathering space. Evening access to the castle’s famous double-helix staircase is reserved for camping guests.
Dunnottar Castle
This dramatic Scottish clifftop ruin allows camping on its mainland approach, offering spectacular views of the North Sea and the castle. Wooden platforms keep tents level while providing perfect sunrise viewing positions.
The restored gatehouse serves as a camp kitchen and gathering space. Evening access to the castle ruins is exclusive to camping guests.
Castello di Feni
This Italian castle opens its terraced gardens for camping experiences with Alpine views. Each camping area is themed after a different period in the castle’s history.
The former grape pressing room serves as a camp kitchen and gathering space. Evening access to the castle’s frescoed chapel is reserved for camping guests.
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Castle Camping Adventures
Spending the night within castle walls offers more than just a unique place to pitch your tent – it’s an opportunity to experience history in a deeply personal way. While these locations provide modern amenities necessary for comfortable camping, they maintain the authentic atmosphere that makes castle stays so special.
Remember that most castle camping experiences require advance booking and often have specific seasonal availability. The reward for planning ahead is the chance to wake up to views that have captivated people for centuries.
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